RV insurance protects your RV against most common perils. If you’re taking your RV out on the road, you may find that eventually, some water damage emerges. The RV is constantly exposed to the elements and if you’ve used your RV for prolonged periods, discovering a water leak is inevitable. What happens when water leaks through the roof of the RV?
We all want to know whether the insurance company will cover us for such repairs. Most RV roof leaks can be patched up in a few minutes, but if the damage is serious you may have to file a claim. If your life and leisure are tied to the RV, you must take out an RV insurance policy to protect it. This guide will focus on what is covered under RV insurance and how to make use of the coverage.
So, does RV insurance cover roof leaks? No, most insurance companies don’t cover RV water damage. The exception is certain water damage policies that can be added to your existing RV insurance policy as an add-on. Those provide protection against water damage and roof leaks. Consult your insurance agent to find out whether your RV insurance policy covers roof leaks and flooding. Comprehensive insurance provides basic water damage coverage if it was caused by nature. If the damage was caused due to lack of maintenance, you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
RV Insurance Water Damage: What Is NOT Covered
RV insurance and comprehensive auto insurance will exclude a number of common causes for roof leaks to the vehicle. In this article, we’ll look through what is not covered by standard RV insurance policies. RV insurance does NOT cover any of the following causes for roof leaks:
- ✖ Manufacturing Defects. If the RV was purchased brand new but had a defect in the roof, the insurance company will not cover you for the manufacturing defects. You’ll have to tap into your manufacturer’s warranty to fix the damage.
- ✖ Pre-Existing Damage. If the RV was purchased on the used market and it already had cracks and ruptures in the roof, this will not be covered by the insurance company.
- ✖ Wear And Tear. The longer you use your RV, the more it’s prone to damage. If you have a small hole in the roof, this could open up under the right circumstances and allow water to penetrate the interior. Maintenance is not covered and it’s entirely upon the owner to fix the damage.
- ✖ Extreme Temperatures. If the RV is exposed to harsh elements such as freezing cold or extreme heat constantly, the damage that ensues will not be covered by the insurance company.
- ✖ Snow/Ice Buildup. While snow and ice weight is covered under homeowners insurance policies, it is not covered by RV insurance policies. You’ll have to manually clean out the snow and ice from your RV roof during the winter months.
Note: Even if a certain form of damage is covered by the RV insurance company, they may still deny your claim if the insurer discovers that it could’ve been avoided. Water damage is only covered if it occurred in an unexpected and accidental manner. For instance, if hail damages your RV roof this a natural cause and you’ll be covered.
Assume that all damage that occurs over the long run is not going to be accidental. As an RV owner, you have to prevent issues early. For instance, if you noticed a small crack and you didn’t bother fixing it but then it expanded and now you have a giant gap in your RV roof, this damage occurred over an extended period. This means that the insurer won’t compensate you for it. There are differences in coverage for full-time and part-time RVs. If the RV is your main residence, you’ll have more coverage on your policy than if you use the RV only for road trips. In this case, you’ll likely be covered for water damage as a result.
Pro Tip: There is a workaround for claiming damages to the RV and that is to ask the insurance company if your homeowners insurance may cover the damage. If your home is insured through the same company as your RV, you may be able to file a claim using your homeowners insurance.
The insurance company will be more open to covering your damages if you insure both the RV and the home. There are a few things that can affect the success of the claim such as the age of the RV and the model. Older RVs are at a higher risk. Call up your insurance agent and ask if your home insurance will cover the damage to the RV.
How To Investigate The Leak Source
To identify water leaks in the RV, you should start from the top down. Roof leaks are the biggest source of the leaking problem. Start by analyzing the roof for holes by climbing on your RV. There you’ll find whether you have tiny gaps and you’ll be able to find obvious damage on the roofline, siding, and other roof areas. Check for loose siding and unsealed vents in the RV. Make sure the window seals are not damaged.
How To Patch Up Roof Leaks In The RV
There are a few ways to make quick repairs to the roof on your own as a DYI project. Repairing the roof doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars and you only need a sealing product to get the job done. Make sure you follow the instructions on each one of these sealing tools for maximum effects:
- Sealing Tape. Go to your local hardware store and pick up a micro sealing tape. This is a handy tape that you’ll need once in a while on your RV travels because it can patch up all surfaces, including the roof. Micro sealing tape is easy to use and all you have to do is clear out the sealing area, cut it to size, and stick the seal in place. This tape is not very pretty but it’s sturdy and stops the leak.
- Liquid Seal. If you have a bigger crack in the roof and you don’t want to have to re-tape it often, you can use a liquid sealer to get the job done. You can also pick up a liquid sealer at the hardware store. All you have to do to apply it to the roof is to use a brush on the affected area. You can also restore the coating of the roof using a liquid sealer. If you have significant damage to the roof, you’ll need to use a primer to prepare the roof for the sealer. A liquid sealer can be applied all over the roof to prevent water leaks.
- Caulk. Caulk is ideal for other water leaks in the RV that are not on the roof but penetrate through the vents and windows. You can get Caulk in different colors that will match the interior and exterior of your RV. Caulk can also prevent molding in your RV by killing the bacteria in the affected area.
